AU2020267245A1 - Strike plate - Google Patents

Abstract

A strike assembly comprising a housing containing a strike plate; and a user operated rotatable actuator, wherein rotation of the user operated rotatable actuator in a first direction moves the strike plate towards an opening of the strike along a linear axis, and rotation of the user operated rotatable actuator in a second direction moves the strike plate away from the opening of the strike along the linear axis.

Description

STRIKE PLATE

Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lock set, lock assembly, or strike such as those that may be installed into a sliding door.

Background

[0002] Sliding doors are opened and closed in a direction parallel to the face of the door. Sliding door locks generally include a face plate mounted flush with a side edge of the door and an actuation lever (or knob) which protrudes from one or both sides of the door to actuate a hook or a lock bolt including a hook which engages a strike plate mounted to a frame of the sliding door to retain the door in the closed position. To unlock the door, the hook or lock bolt is retracted from the strike, which in the case of the lock bolt, retracts the hook into a body of the lock bolt to disengage the hook from the strike plate.

[0003] Sliding door locks and strikes that are able to function in multiple modes are known. For example, sliding door looks may be configured to operate in any one of (i) a passage or latching mode, (ii) a privacy mode, and/or (iii) a deadlock mode. There are numerous designs to facilitate these different modes of operation. However, it is desirable to provide alternative designs which have simpler and or more cost-effective construction, are easier for a user to install, have smoother or simpler operation, and/or enhanced security features.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide new designs for a lock assembly, and/or lock set, and/or strike assembly that is suitable for use with sliding doors and/or addresses or ameliorates one or more of the shortcomings of prior art locks.

Summary of Invention

[0005] In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a strike assembly comprising: a housing containing a strike plate; and a user operated rotatable actuator, wherein rotation of the user operated rotatable actuator in a first direction moves the strike plate towards an opening of the strike along a linear axis, and rotation of the user operated rotatable actuator in a second direction moves the strike plate away from the opening of the strike along the linear axis.

[0006] In an embodiment, the user operated rotatable actuator has a longitudinal axis that is horizontally oriented and that extends from an opening in the strike plate to a rear wall of the strike plate.

[0007] In an embodiment, the strike plate is mounted to the user operated rotatable actuator via the linear axis of the user operated rotatable actuator.

[0008] In an embodiment, the user operated rotatably actuator has a keyed surface such as a slot, and the keyed surface is accessible to a user, such that it can be rotated by the user via a tool having a corresponding keyed element.

[0009] In an embodiment, the rotatable actuator is a screw, and the screw is freely rotatable relative to the housing, and rotation of the screw causes linear translation of the strike plate along a threaded portion of the screw.

[0010] In one form of the above embodiment, the screw is mounted to the strike via a head portion and/or a shank portion of the screw.

[0011] It is prefered that the head portion of the screw has a keyed surface such as a slot, and that the keyed surface is accessible to a user, such that the screw can be rotated such as with a screw driver.

[0012] It is preferred that the head portion of the screw and the keyed surface are recessed within the housing, and the housing contains a window to provide access to the keyed surface, such that a user can insert a tool (e.g. a screw driver) through the window to engage with the keyed surface and turn the screw.

[0013] It is preferred that the screw is not threadably engaged with the housing and/or a support structure within the housing. More preferably, the screw is only threadably engaged with the strike plate.

[0014] In an embodiment, the strike plate is a Z-shaped bracket having internal angles of from about 70 up to about 110 degrees. Preferably, the internal angles are from about 75 degrees. More preferably, the internal angles are from about 80 degrees. Most preferably, the internal angles are from about 85 degrees. Additionally, or alternatively, the internal angles are up to about 105 degrees. More preferably, the internal angles are up to about 100 degrees. Most preferably, the internal angles are up to about 95 degrees. In a particular form, the internal angles are substantially right angles (e.g. substantially 90 degrees, such as 90 degrees +/- 5 degrees, or more particularly 90 degrees +/- 2 degrees).

[0015] In one form of the above embodiment, the Z-shaped bracket comprising two substantially parallel limbs spaced apart and joined by a link portion that is arranged substantially perpendicular to the limbs. Preferably, the Z-shaped bracket comprising two parallel limbs separated by the link portion which is perpendicular to the limbs.

[0016] In one form of the above embodiment, the Z-shaped bracket comprising two limbs spaced apart and joined by a link portion arranged between the limbs. In this form, the limbs project from the link portion in a curved, straight, or slanted manner. Generally, it is preferred that the limbs project from the link portion such that the internal angles of the Z-shaped bracket (between the link portion and each limb) is from about 70 and up to about 110 degrees. Preferably, the internal angles are from about 75 degrees. More preferably, the internal angles are from about 80 degrees. Most preferably, the internal angles are from about 85 degrees. Additionally, or alternatively, the internal angles are up to about 105 degrees. More preferably, the internal angles are up to about 100 degrees. Most preferably, the internal angles are up to about 95 degrees.

[0017] In an embodiment, the housing further comprises an internal support structure for supporting the strike plate (for example, upon which a portion of the strike plate rests), and at least part of the link portion is adjacent to and/or seated on the support structure.

[0018] In one form of the above embodiment, the support structure is arranged within the housing to provide a reaction force to the strike plate in response to a user attempting to open a door whilst a latch is engaged with the strike plate.

[0019] In an embodiment, the strike plate is a Z-shaped bracket comprising two limbs spaced apart and joined by a link portion that is arranged between the limbs, and the housing further comprises a support structure, wherein the support structure comprises a seat for receiving at least part of the link portion such that the seat biases against rotational or pivotal movement of the strike plate in at least one rotational direction.

[0020] In one form of the above embodiment, the two limbs are two parallel limbs, and the link portion is substantially perpendicular to the two parallel limbs. However, it will be appreciated that in alternate forms of the above embodiment, the limbs project from the link in a curved or slanted manner.

[0021] In an embodiment, the rotatable actuator is a screw, and the screw is freely rotatable relative to the housing and the support structure, and rotation of the screw causes linear translation of the strike plate along a threaded portion of the screw.

[0022] In an embodiment, the housing and/or a or the support structure comprises a recess for retaining the screw via the head of the screw.

[0023] In one form of the above embodiment, the recess comprises an opening that has a diameter narrower than the head of the screw but wider than a shank portion of the screw, such that the shank portion of the screw sits in the recess and a threaded portion of the screw projects from the recess and within the housing toward an opposing internal wall of the support structure and/or housing, and an end portion of the screw is supported by the opposing internal wall of the support structure and/or housing.

[0024] It is preferred that the end portion of the screw is not threadably engaged with the housing and/or a or the support structure. More preferably, the end portion of the screw is unthreaded and/or the shank portion of the screw is unthreaded.

[0025] In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock set comprising: a lock assembly; and a strike assembly of the first aspect and/or embodiments and/or forms thereof.

[0026] In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock assembly for a sliding door, the lock assembly comprising: a base plate mountable to a side surface of the sliding door; a strike engagement member having an engaged position (for example, where the strike engagement member is engaged with a strike plate on a strike to retain the door in the closed position) and a disengaged position; a driven member operatively connected to the strike engagement member, the driven member having a first position and a second position; wherein when the driven member is in the first position, the strike engagement member is in the disengaged position; and when the driven member is in the second position, the strike engagement member is in the engaged position; a user operated actuator operatively connected to the driven member to move the driven member between the first position and the second position; a deadlock slidably mounted to the housing, the deadlock adapted for linear movement between a locked position in which the user operated actuator cannot be actuated and an unlocked position; a rotatable drive member, the rotatable drive member comprising a key cylinder for receiving a corresponding key to rotate the rotatable drive member; wherein the rotatable drive member is operatively engaged with the driven member to move the driven member between the first position and the second position; and the rotatable drive member is operatively engaged with the deadlock to move the deadlock between the unlocked position and the locked position.

[0027] In an embodiment, the rotatable drive member is rotatable through a first arc to move the driven member between the first position and the second position, and through a second arc to move the deadlock between the unlocked position and the locked position.

[0028] In an embodiment, the user operated actuator is pivotable to rotate the driven member only through the first arc.

[0029] In an embodiment, the rotatable drive member and the driven member are rotatable about a common axis of rotation.

[0030] In an embodiment, the driven member has a central aperture and the rotatable drive member is seated in the central aperture. Preferably, the rotatable drive member and the driven member are rotatable about a common axis of rotation, and the central aperture is coaxially aligned with the axis of rotation.

[0031] In an embodiment, the rotatable drive member comprises a projecting cam, extending in a direction radial to an axis of rotation of the rotatable drive member; wherein the projecting cam engages structure on the driven member to move the driven member between the first position and the second position, and wherein the projecting cam engages structure on the deadlock to move the deadlock between the unlocked position and the locked position.

[0032] In one form of the above embodiment, the deadlock comprises a cam engagement portion having first and second projections for receiving a rotational user force from the projecting cam to linearly move the deadlock between the unlocked and locked positions. It is preferred that the cam engagement portion comprises an elongate recess with the first and second projections at each end of the elongate recess, the projecting cam rotatable within the elongate recess without engaging the deadlock.

[0033] In an embodiment, the deadlock comprises a body portion that is slidably mounted to the base plate, a deadlatch portion keyed for engagement with a receiving structure on the driven member when in the locked position to prevent rotation of the driven member and thus prevent rotation and/or pivoting of the user operated actuator, and a cam engagement portion driveable to move the deadlock between the unlocked and locked positions.

[0034] In one form of the above embodiment, the cam engagement portion has first and second projections for receiving a rotational user force from the projecting cam to linearly move the deadlock between the unlocked and locked positions. It is preferred that the cam engagement portion comprises an elongate recess with the first and second projections at each end of the elongate recess, the projecting cam rotatable within the recess without engaging the deadlock.

[0035] In one form of the above embodiment, the body portion, the deadlatch portion, and the cam engagement portion are integrally formed. Preferably, the the body portion, the deadlatch portion, and the cam engagement portion are a unitary component.

[0036] In one form of the above embodiment, the deadlock includes two parallel limbs that are connected by a link element, wherein a first limb of the two parallel limbs is the deadlatch portion, and a second limb of the parallel limbs is the cam engagement portion. In such cases, it is further preferred that the first limb extends in a first direction from the link element to a first length and the second limb extends in the first direction from the link element to a second length, and the first length is less than the second length. By way of example, the first length is less than half of the second length.

[0037] It is also preferred that the deadlock inludes a third limb that extends from an opposite side of the link element to the first limb and the second limb, and wherein the third limb is the body portion. The third limb may extend from a point at which either of the first limb or second limb meet the link element, or the third limb may extend from a portion of the link element between the first limb and the second limb.

[0038] In a preferred form, the deadlock is substantially h-shaped.

[0039] In an embodiment, the user operated actuator is a lever and/or a snib.

[0040] In an embodiment, the strike engagement portion, the driven portion, and the handle portion are integrally formed. Preferably, the strike engagement portion, the driven portion, and the handle portion are a unitary component.

[0041] In an embodiment, the strike engagement portion, the driven portion, and the handle portion pivot about an axis of rotation of the rotatable drive member.

[0042] In an embodiment, the deadlock and/or the rotatable drive member are not spring biased.

[0043] In an embodiment, the lock futher comprises a shroud attached to the base plate, the shroud and the base plate together forming a housing that contains at least the driven member, the deadlock, and the rotatable drive member.

[0044] In one form of the above embodiment, the strike engagement member and the user operated actuator project from opposite sides of the housing.

[0045] In one form of the above embodiment, the shroud further includes a handle portion that can be gripped by a user to slide the sliding door between the open and closed positions. It is preferred that the handle portion is fixed relative to the shroud. More preferably, the handle portion is not actuatable and/or rotatable and/or pivotable and/or slidable and/or extendable relative to the shroud and/or to a sliding door when the lock assembly is installed on a sliding door.

[0046] In a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock set comprising: the lock assembly of the third aspect and/or embodiments and/or forms thereof; and a strike assembly.

[0047] In a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock set comprising the strike assembly of the first aspect and/or embodiments and/or forms thereof; and the lock assembly of the third aspect and/or embodiments and/or forms thereof.

[0048] In a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of installing a strike assembly of the first aspect and/or embodiments and/or forms thereof, the method comprising: installing the strike assembly on an internal facing side of a sliding door frame.

[0049] In a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of installing a lock assembly of the third aspect and/or embodiments and/or forms thereof, the method comprising: installing the lock assembly on an internal facing side of a sliding door adjacent the leading face of the sliding door.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0050] Preferred embodiments of the abovementioned aspects of the invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] Figure 1 is a see-through illustration of an embodiment of a lock assembly.

[0052] Figure 2 is an exploded view of internal components of the lock assembly illustrated in Figure 1.

[0053] Figure 3 is an illustration of the internal components of the lock assembly of Figure 1 in a locked state (e.g. in privacy mode).

[0054] Figure 4 is an illustration of the internal components of the lock assembly of Figure 1 in a deadlocked state.

[0055] Figure 5 is an illustration of the internal components of the lock assembly of Figure 1 being un-deadlocked to privacy mode.

[0056] Figure 6 is an illustration of the internal components of the lock assembly of Figure 1 being moved from a locked state (e.g. privacy mode) to an unlocked state.

[0057] Figure 7 is an exploded view of the lock assembly of Figure 1 additionally showing the shroud and handle.

[0058] Figure 8 is an illustration of an embodiment of a strike, such as for use with the lock assembly disclosed herein and illustrated in Figures 1 to 7.

[0059] Figure 9 is an exploded view of the strike illustrated in Figure 8.

Description of Embodiments

[0060] The present invention is directed to a lock set, lock assembly, or strike such as those that may be installed into a sliding door. Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in Figures 1 to 9.

[0061] Figure 1 is a see-through image of a lock set 100 according to one aspect of the invention. The lock set 100 comprises a lock assembly 101 for a sliding door and a corresponding strike 102. The lock assembly 101 is mounted to the side of a sliding door, such as an internal side of the sliding door, and the strike 102 is mounted to a frame of the sliding door such that when the sliding door is slid into the closed position, the lock assembly 101 and the strike 102 are adjacent to one another (shown). In this position, the lock assembly 101 can be placed in a locked state by actuating strike engagement member 104 to an engaged position (shown) such as by actuation of lever 107 or insertion and turning of a key via key hole 108. In this embodiment, pivoting lever 107 or turning the key in a clockwise direction causes the strike engagement member 104 with hook portion 110 to move through a clockwise arc and into a position in which the hook portion 110 is retained behind strike plate 106 which locks the sliding door in the closed position by preventing movement of the sliding door relative to the door frame.

[0062] To unlock the sliding door and place the lock assembly 101 in an unlocked state, the strike engagement member 104 is actuated to the disengaged position such as by actuating lever 107 or turning of a key via key hole 108. In this embodiment, pivoting lever 107 or turning the key in a counter-clockwise direction causes hook portion 110 to move through a counter clockwise arc and into a position in which the hook portion 110 is disengaged from the strike plate 106 which permits movement of the sliding door relative to the door frame, and thus allows the sliding door to be slid into the open position.

[0063] Figure 2 is an exploded view of lock assembly 101. Lock assembly 101 comprises base plate 202, deadlock bar 204, over centre spring assembly 205, rotatable drive member 206, circlip 207, and rotatable lock element 208.

[0064] Base plate 202 has a generally elongate structure with a long axis that is vertically oriented when base plate 202 is mounted to a sliding door. Base plate 202 includes two recessed screw holes 214, 215 spaced apart along a vertical axis by which base plate 202 can be mounted to sliding door via countersunk screws (not shown). Base plate 202 further includes mounting structure 203a, 203b adjacent screw holes 214, 215 for receiving and mounting shroud 112 with handle 114 (best showin in Figure 1). Together base plate 202 and shroud 112 form a housing to contain the internal components of lock assembly 101, such as the deadlock bar 204, rotatable drive member 206, and driven member 209. Base plate 202 further comprises horizontally projecting alignment pins 216a, 216b which are received in a corresponding receiving structure in the strike 102 (see Figure 1). Base plate 202 also comprises bearing structure 217 for retaining deadbolt bar 204 thereon whilst allowing deadbolt bar 204 to linearly slide between deadlocked and and non-deadlocked positions (discussed further below).

[0065] Rotatable drive member 206 is of generally stepped cylidrical shape and includes a receiving surface 208 with keyed engagement teeth 210a, 210b for receiving a correspondingly keyed engagement surface on a key cylinder (not shown in Figure 2, but which has a face for receiving a key that protrudes through an aperture in the shroud 112). In this way, insertion of a key into the key cylinder and subsequent rotation thereof causes rotation of rotatable drive member 206. Rotatable drive member 206 also includes cam 212 which protrudes radially from the axis of rotation of rotatable drive member 206. As will be discussed below, cam 212 interacts with driven member 209 and deadlock bar 204 during different stages of rotation of rotatable drive member 206. Rotatable drive member 206 is held in place within the lock assembly 101 by circlip 207.

[0066] Rotatable lock element 208 comprises driven member 209, strike engagement member 104 with hook portion 110, and lever 107. In this embodiment, driven member 209, strike engagement member 104 with hook portion 110, and lever 107 are integrally formed, e.g. together form a unitary component. Driven member 209 has a passage 218 with cut-out 220 corresponding to the shape of radial protrusion 212. Passage 218 is of generally cylidrical shape with dimensions to allow rotatable drive member 206 to be seated therein and to permit at least a degree of independent rotation of drive member 206 relative to driven member 209 of the rotatable lock element 208. Passage 218 has a central axis about which rotatable lock element 208 rotates. In this embodiment, rotatable drive member 206 also rotates about this central axis. Driven member 209 further includes keyed receiving structure 221 for receiving a corresponding structure on deadlock bar 204 to deadlock driven member 209 and thus prevent actuation or rotation of driven member 209 until the deadlock is disengaged. In the present embodiment, keyed receiving structure 221 is a latch hole to receive a deadlatch portion 224 of deadlock bar 204. Driven member 209 is held in the locked and unlocked state by over centre spring assembly 205.

[0067] Deadlock bar 204 comprises body portion 222, deadlatch portion 224, and cam engagement portion 226. In this embodiment, body portion 222, deadlatch portion 224, and cam engagement portion 226 are integrally formed, e.g. together form a unitary component. Body portion 222 is slidably retained on base plate 202 via bearing structure 217 in such manner that the deadlock bar 204 is slidable between deadlocked and and non-deadlocked positions in the vertical direction relative to base plate 202 (e.g. along a vertical axis of base plate 202). In the deadlocked position, deadlatch portion 224 is slid into latch hole 221 which prevents rotation of driven member 209 until the deadlock bar 204 is moved to the non-deadlocked position and deadlatch portion 224 is withdrawn from latch hole 221.

[0068] Deadlock bar 204 also comprises an engagement mechanism in the form of ball detent 219 which interacts with corresponding first and second recesses 223a and 223b in bearing structure 217 respectively to hold the deadlock bar 204 in position in either the deadlocked state or the non-deadlocked state. That is, when deadlock bar 204 is in the non-deadlocked state, ball detent 219 projects into first recess 223a of bearing structure 217, and when deadlock bar 204 is in the deadlocked state, ball detent 219 projects into second recess 223b of bearing structure 217. Application of sufficient force to move deadlock bar 204 between the non-deadlocked state results in ball of ball detent 219 tracking across raised surface 223c of bearing structure 217. This, in turn, causes at least partial retraction of the ball into deadlock bar 204. Once the deadlock bar 204 has reached its final position (i.e. either of the non-deadlocked or deadlocked states), the ball is spring biased into a recess 223a or 223b of bearing structure 217.

[0069] The operation of lock assembly 101 will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 3 which shows lock assembly 101 in a locked state(e.g. in privacy mode), Figure 4 which shows lock assembly 101 in a locked and deadlocked state, Figure 5 which shows the lock assembly being undeadlocked but retained in the locked state (e.g. in privacy mode), and Figure 6 which shows lock assembly 101 being moved to the unlocked state from the locked state (e.g. from privacy mode).

[0070] The lock assembly 101 can be placed in the lock state by pivoting lever 107 through a first arc which, in turn, causes rotation of the driven member 209 and strike engagement member 104 through the first arc. This causes movement of strike engagement member 104such that hook portion 110 is retained behind strike plate 106. Base plate 202 further includes a stop 300 which limits pivotal movement of lever 107. To unlock lock assembly 101, lever 107 can be rotated in a reverse direction through the first arc which in turn, causes reverse rotation of driven member 209 and strike engagement member 104 through the first arc. This causes movement of hook portion 110 so that it is not retained behind strike plate 106, which then allows the door to be slid open.

[0071] In the depicted arrangement, lock assembly 101 is placed in the lock state by pivoting lever 107 in a clockwise direction through the first arc which similarly rotates driven member 209 and strike engagement member 104 in a clockwise direction through the first arc. This causes upward movement of strike engagement member 104, relative to the vertical axis of base plate 202 so that hook portion 110 is retained behind strike plate 106. To unlock lock assembly 101, lever 107 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction through the first arc which similarly rotates driven member 209 and strike engagement member 104 in a counter-clockwise direction through the first arc. This causes downward movement of hook portion 110, relative to the vertical axis of base plate 202, so that hook portion 110 is not retained behind strike plate 106, which then allows the door to be slid open.

[0072] The skilled person will appreciate that depending on the orientation of the lock assembly and the arrangement of internal components thereof, the lock assembly may be operated in the reverse order, e.g. pivoting lever 107 in a counter-clockwise direction through the first arc to place the lock assembly in the lock state and pivoting lever 107 in a clockwise direction through the first arc to place the lock assembly in the unlocked state. Likewise, in alternative forms, pivoting lever 107 to place the lock assembly in the lock state may cause downward movement of strike engagement member 104, relative to the vertical axis of base plate 202 so that hook portion 110 is retained behind strike plate 106; and pivoting lever 107 to place the lock assembly in the unlocked state may cause upward movement of strike engagement member 104, relative to the vertical axis of base plate 202 so that hook portion 110 is not retained behind strike plate 106.

[0073] Alternatively, lock assembly 101 can be placed in the lock state by inserting a key into the key cylinder and turning the key in the clockwise direction through a first arc. This causes clockwise rotation of rotatable drive member 206 and radial protrusion 212 through the first arc. Radial protrusion 212 pushes against an element on driven member 209 to move the driven member 209 clockwise through the first arc which moves strike engagement member 104 into a position of engagement with strike 102.

[0074] Once lock assembly 101 is in the locked position (whether driven member 209 is rotated through a first arc and placed in the locked position via pivoting of lever 107 or via turning a key to rotate rotatable drive member 206), the lock assembly may be deadlocked via further clockwise rotation of rotatable drive member 206 through a second arc. Rotation of rotatable drive member 206 through the second arc causes radial protrusion 212 to push against a first deadlock projection 302 on the cam engagement portion 226 of deadlock bar 204 which causes a downward linear translation of deadlock bar 204 from the position of disengagement to a position of engagement with driven member 209 )as best shown in Figure 4 which illustrates the lock assembly 101 in the deadlocked state. In particular, deadlatch portion 224 of deadlock bar 204 is translated linearly such that it enters latch hole 221 in driven member 209. Driven member 209 is unable to be rotated whilst deadlatch portion 224 is in latch hole 221. The effect of this is that lever 107 is not actuatable and is deadlocked in position. . Whilst Figure 4 depicts the linear downward movement of the deadlock to place the lockset in the deadlocked state, the skilled person will appreciate that the in one or more embodiments, the lockset may be oriented upside down such that the deadlock is translated linearly upward to engage a latch hole in a driven member thereof.

[0075] To remove the deadlock, and as best illustrated in Figure 5, rotatable drive member 206 is rotated in an anticlockwise direction such that the radial protrusion 212 pushes against a second deadlock projection 304 which causes an upward linear translation of deadlock bar 204 from the position of engagement to a position of disengagement with driven member 209. In particular, deadlatch portion 224 of deadlock bar 204 is translated linearly upward such that it is removed from latch hole 221 in driven member 209 such that lock assembly 101 is in the locked state (e.g. in privacy mode). With reference to Figure 6, once deadlatch portion 224 of deadlock bar 204 is translated linearly upward, driven member 209 can then be further rotated counter clockwise to move lock assembly 101 from the locked state to the unlocked state. Whilst Figure and Figure 6 depict the linear upward movement of the deadlock to place the lockset in a non deadlocked state, the skilled person will appreciate that the in one or more embodiments, the lockset may be oriented upside down such that the deadlock is translated linearly downward to disengage from a latch hole in a driven member thereof.

[0076] Figure 6 and Figure 7 are illustrations of an embodiment of a strike 600 with an adjustable strike plate 602. The strike 600 includes a housing 602, a frame 604, a strike plate 606, adjustment mechanism 608 for adjusting the internal position of strike plate 606 within strike 600, and a cover 610 which is fitted to frame or support structure 604. Frame 604 is held within housing 602 via connectors 605a, 605b.

[0077] Housing 602 includes mounting structure 611a, 611b for mounting the housing to a door frame in a position adjacent to lock assembly 101 on a closed sliding door. Housing 602 receives frame 604, strike plate 606, and adjustment mechanism 608 therein.

[0078] In the depicted embodiment, adjustment mechanism 608 is a screw. Screw 608 includes a threaded portion that is threadably engaged with strike plate 606. Screw 608 is held in a fixed position within frame 604 in a manner such that it freely rotates within frame 604. That is, the threaded portions of screw 608 are not engaged with frame 604. In this way, screw 608 can be freely rotated within frame 604 without threaded engagement with frame 604. For example, screw 608 may be retained within frame 604 by a head portion of screw 608 (e.g. the head of screw 608 is held in a receiving cavity of frame 604 such that the head can freely rotate but cannot be removed from the frame when strike 600 is assembled). Alternatively, screw 608 may be held or supported at both ends by frame 604 such that the screw cannot be withdrawn from frame 604 but is able to freely rotate within frame 604 without linear translation through frame 604.

[0079] Strike plate 606 is threadably engaged with screw 608. Given this, rotation of screw 608 causes linear translation of strike plate 606 over threads of screw 608 along an axial direction thereof since. This linear translation of strike plate 606 is possible since the strike plate 606 is held between a wall of frame 604 and a wall of cover 610 and unable to rotate with rotation of screw 608.

[0080] Given the above, the position of strike plate 606 relative to frame 604 (and thus the position of the strike plate 606 within strike 600) can be readily adjusted by a user. An advantage of this arrangement is that it is easier for a user to install the lockset since exact lateral alignment and positioning of the strike and lock assembly is not required during installation. If there is minor lateral misalignment, then strike plate 606 can be easily repositioned within strike 600 to ensure satisfactory alignment with the corresponding lock assembly.

[0081] In the illustrated embodiment, strike plate 606 is a substantially Z-shaped bracket, wherein internal angles of the Z-shaped bracket are from about 70 to about 110 degrees, preferably about 85 to 95 degrees, and most preferably 90 degrees. In particular, the Z-shaped bracket comprises two limbs 614, 616 separated and joined by a link portion 618 that is arranged between the limbs 614, 616.

[0082] In the illustrated embodiment, frame 604 includes a seat 612 for supporting strike plate 606 at least via part of the link portion 618. As best illustrated in Figure 1, in use a hook member of a lock assembly is held behind strike plate 606. If a person attempts to slide the sliding door to the open position whilst the hook member is held in position behind the strike plate 606, a force is applied to strike plate 606. However, since strike plate 606 is in a fixed position the door cannot be opened. Notwithstanding if a user applies substantial force in attempt to open the door while in the door is in the locked state, strike plate 606 may become damaged or bent. However, the presence of seat 612 helps mitigate or prevent this damage since it provides a reaction force to link portion 618 to counteract the force applied by the user.

[0083] Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in other forms.

Claims (21)

1. A strike assembly comprising: a housing containing a strike plate; and a user operated rotatable actuator, wherein rotation of the user operated rotatable actuator in a first direction moves the strike plate towards an opening of the strike along a linear axis, and rotation of the user operated rotatable actuator in a second direction moves the strike plate away from the opening of the strike along the linear axis.

2. The strike assembly of claim 1, wherein the user operated rotatable actuator has a longitudinal axis that is horizontally oriented and that extends from an opening in the strike plate to a rear wall of the strike plate.

3. The strike assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the strike plate is mounted to the user operated rotatable actuator via the linear axis of the user operated rotatable actuator.

4. The strike assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user operated rotatably actuator has a keyed surface such as a slot, and the keyed surface is accessible to a user, such that it can be rotated by the user via a tool having a corresponding keyed element.

5. The strike assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotatable actuator is a screw, and the screw is freely rotatable relative to the housing, and rotation of the screw causes linear translation of the strike plate along a threaded portion of the screw.

6. The strike assembly of claim 5, wherein the screw is mounted to the housing via a head portion and/or a shank portion of the screw.

7. The strike assembly of claim 5 or 6, wherein the head portion of the screw is recessed within the housing, and the housing contains a window to provide access to the head portion of the screw, such that a user can insert a tool through the window to turn the screw.

8. The strike assembly of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the screw is not threadably engaged with the housing and/or a support structure within the housing.

9. The strike assembly of claim 8, wherein the screw is only threadably engaged with the strike plate.

10. The strike assembly of any one of the preceding claims, the strike plate is a Z-shaped bracket having internal angles of between 70 and 110 degrees.

11. The strike assembly of claim 10, wherein the internal angles are substantially right angles.

12. The strike assembly of claim 10 or 11, wherein, the Z-shaped bracket comprises two substantially parallel limbs spaced apart and joined by a link porition that is arranged substantially perpindicular to the limbs.

13. The strike assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing further comprises an internal support structure for supporting the strike plate.

14. The strike assembly of claim 13, wherein the support structure is arranged within the housing to provide a reaction force to the strike plate in response to a user attempting to open a door whilst a latch is engaged with the strike plate.

15. The strike assembly of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the strike plate is a Z-shaped bracket comprising two limbs spaced apart and joined by a link portion that is arranged between the limbs, and the housing further comprises a support structure, wherein the support structure comprises a seat for receiving at least part of the link portion such that the seat biases against rotational or pivotal movement of the strike plate in at least one rotational direction.

16. The strike assembly of claim 13 or 14, wherein the rotatable actuator is a screw, and the screw is freely rotatable relative to the support structure, and rotation of the screw causes linear translation of the strike plate along a threaded portion of the screw.

17. The strike assembly of claim 16, wherein the support structure comprises a recess for retaining the screw via the head of the screw.

18. The strike assembly of claim 17, wherein the recess comprises an opening that has a diameter narrower than the head of the screw but wider than a shank portion of the screw, such that the shank portion of the screw sits in the recess and a threaded portion of the screw projects from the recess and within the housing toward an opposing internal wall of the support structure and/or housing, and an end portion of the screw is supported by the opposing internal wall of the support structure and/or housing.

19. The strike assembly of claim 18, wherein the end portion of the screw is not threadably engaged with the support structure.

20. A lock set comprising: a lock assembly; and a strike assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.

21. A method of installing a strike assembly of any one of claims I to 19, the method comprising: installing the lock assembly on an internal facing side of a sliding door frame.

Allegion (Australia) Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON